Following hosts Zimbabwe’s 3-0 One-Day International (ODI) series win over Papua New Guinea, the two are slated to now take on each other in the 3 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). The T20I opener will be played at Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe, on the 30th of March, 2024, at 4:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Zimbabwe – Audrey Mazvishaya, Chiedza Dhururu, Chipo Mugeri Tiripano, Francesca Chipare, Josephine Nkomo, Kelis Ndhlovu, Kudzai Chigora, Lindokuhle Mabhera, Loreen Tshuma, Loryn Phiri, Mary Anne Musonda, Modester Mupachikwa, Nomvelo Sibanda, Nyasha Gwanzura, Pellagia Mujaji, Precious Marange, Sharne Mayers
Papua New Guinea – Brenda Tau, Sibona Jimmy, Tanya Ruma, Lakshmi Rajadurai, Pauke Siaka, Isabel Toua, Naoani Vare, Geua Tom, Kevau Frank, Henao Thomas, Vicky Ara, Buruka Vicky, Dika Lohia, Melanie Ani
Players to watch out:
Chipo Mugeri Tiripano
The 30-year-old batter, averaging 26.37 and striking at 109.46, has accumulated 844 runs, including the highest of 80, from 42 T20I appearances. In the lead-up to the T20Is, Chipo in the ODIs registered scores of 71* and 52. She is the batter in-form and it’ll be hoped she replicates this success in the T20I series.
Loreen Tshuma
The 27-year-old pacer, from 30 T20I innings, has scalped 34 wickets, including the best of 4/11, maintaining an economy rate of 5.24. Fresh off a successful African Games campaign, Loreen, in her only ODI, was run out on duck; while her bowling figures read 0/24 (4). She’ll be counted on for all-round performances.
Brenda Tau
The 25-year-old keeper-batter, from 42 T20I outings, has amassed 843 runs, including the highest of 62*, at an average of 30.10. Brenda kicked off this tour with a mature 72 on ODI debut and though she cheaply departed on scores of 2 and 1 in the subsequent games, she can be trusted to lead the scoring.
Sibona Jimmy
The 31-year-old all-rounder in T20Is, from 45 outings, has struck 43 wickets at an economy rate of 3.88 and added 657 runs to the tally from 42 innings. Sibona was outstanding in the ODIs, registering scores of 14, 17, and 57 while returning figures of 0/34, 1/35, and 4/22. She’ll be banked upon for the goods.
Pitch:
The Harare Sports Club dishes out a well-balanced center wicket that caters to both batters and bowlers. While the ground dimensions favor the batters, the average score of 130 also implies that the pitch is likely to aid bowlers, pacers in particular.
Weather:
The conditions are ideal for cricket at Harare as the chances of rain are minimal with the overhead expected to be bright and clear. The temperature is forecasted to hover around 27°C with light winds, and humidity of 47%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Modester Mupachikwa, Brenda Tau, Mary Anne Musonda, Naoani Vare, Chipo Mugeri Tiripano, Sibona Jimmy, Josephine Nkomo, Kelis Ndhlovu, Vicky Ara, Buruka Vicky, Precious Marange
Match details:
Date – March 30, 2024
Time – 4:30 PM IST
Venue – Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.